Don’t let the flight spoil your trip! Our best long-haul economy flight tips will ensure you beat boredom, bad food, and cramped legs.
Hate long-haul flights but love to travel? You’re not alone! I despise flying, especially anything longer than six hours. After rawdogging my first trip to the UK, I’ve gathered personal recommendations and handy long-haul economy flight tips to make your journey more bearable. I tried them out when I hopped on Scoot’s inaugural 13-hour flight to Vienna in June. Was it a pleasant flight? Not really. But my hacks made it way more bearable. Forget going stir crazy, trapped in a seat with backaches and numb legs. Follow these tips for a far more bearable economy flight.
Long-haul economy flight tips: All the prep before your flight
1. Splurge (just a little) for comfort
If you’re stuck in an economy seat or a budget flight, chances are you’re frugal and trying to stretch your dollars. Relatable! I’m always on the lookout for affordable flights. But after some torturous long-haul trips, I’d say splurging a little for comfort will give you the much-deserved peace of mind you need.
When purchasing your flight ticket, consider spending extra to choose your seats. You’re basically picking your home for the next 12 to 16 hours. I’m an aisle girlie because I like to get up often to stretch and prefer having ease of access to the bathroom. Alternatively, if you prefer your sleep to be undisturbed, take the window so you won’t be woken up.
When travelling on a budget airline, most places don’t offer food as part of your ticket bundle and may not even allow you to bring outside food on board. To play it safe, I recommend pre-booking a meal. It ensures you’ll have something to eat on the plane, and it’s one less thing to think about before you board.
2. Keep your night time routine
As much as you want to be someone’s #airportcrush, my next long-haul flight advice is prioritising comfort.
After wearing denim on my first-ever 14-hour flight, I learned the hard way to pick comfortable clothes. I opted for a sports bra under a comfy tank top. Tip: The Uniqlo bra tops are my preferred option for flying.
For pants, it’s joggers all the way for me. Comfy, warm, and adjustable when I experience mid-air bloat. Most importantly, your shoes. I normally don’t take my shoes off during a flight as a personal preference, but picking a pair that you can slip off easily will help make your flight a little more bearable, especially when you sleep.
I also can’t emphasise this enough – brush your teeth before flying! It makes a huge difference when taking red-eye flights. I also sleep better since it’s part of my usual nighttime routine. Toothpaste counts as a liquid, so make sure yours is under 100ml. I also like to bring toothbrushes that come in a case or have a plastic cap to protect them from germs. Alternatively, you can check if your carrier offers toothbrush and paste sets on the flight.
Long-haul economy flight tips: Mid-air survival kit
3. Never skip skincare or rest
The general consensus from most frequent flyers is a simple skincare routine to avoid irritation. Because the air in a plane is dry, hydration is key. I brought hand sanitiser (because I’m paranoid about plane water) and used micellar wipes for my face. Be sure to apply lip balm too. Now, you’re ready to sleep!
Contrary to popular belief, the last row of seats can still fully recline, and you can do it without bothering the people behind – a win for me. To make your sleep more comfortable, bring a neck pillow and eye mask if you’re sensitive to light. Something that would have saved me on my budget flight? A blanket, because my legs were freezing. You won’t have to worry about this if you’re flying on a non-budget carrier, so double-check before packing! If you have trouble sleeping, bring melatonin to help you snooze.
4. Entertainment to keep you occupied
Due to the increase in accidents, some airlines have banned the use of portable chargers while flying. This includes Singapore Airlines and Scoot. So, make sure all your devices are juiced up before boarding the plane! I recommend charging them as you wait to board.
You can kill some time bingeing on that new Netflix series you downloaded, but it’s a surefire way to drain the battery on your phone. Now’s the perfect time to read. I recommend a physical book or free ebooks and audiobooks from Libby on your phone (less use of battery life) or other devices.
Another perfect way to kill time? Video games. I downloaded games I could play without Wi-Fi to my laptop. It was a great way to burn the hours, plus preserve my phone’s battery for when I got to my destination. If anyone needs recommendations, I was busy playing Stardew Valley, Papers Please, Baba is You, and Unpacking.
5. Stretch, stretch, stretch
Sitting for hours at a time will cause discomfort in your legs and back, so it’s ideal to get those steps in where you can. This is why I go for the aisle seat in the last row so I can pop out whenever I have time to stretch. Time your stroll so you don’t interrupt the food service! I usually get up after eating so I can stand to digest, stretch, and go back to sleep.
Walking up and down the aisle is helpful to prevent stiffness and blood clots. But if you’re stuck in the window or the middle seats with no way out, you can still do some seated stretches to help alleviate any soreness. Top tip: Remember to stretch before and after your flight too.
Long-haul economy flight tips: Post-flight recovery
After you’ve fought your way out of the plane, get your circulation going – your walk through customs and getting your check-in bags will help with that. This will also help with any post-flight bloating as it stimulates digestion and relieves any gaseous pressure. Light stretching when you get to your hotel is also beneficial.
Hydration is key. Get some water in you immediately since it’s challenging to get proper hydration during a flight. Showering will help freshen you up. More importantly, it’ll help keep you awake to adjust to the new timezone you’re in and fight any jetlag.
Keep activities light for the first day. I’d recommend walking around the neighbourhood to explore and get familiar with the area. Next, help yourself to a proper meal to fuel up. Something nutrient-dense is ideal, but I typically don’t deny myself because I’ve already suffered in the air.
Congratulations, you survived your flight! Remember to save this list of long-haul economy flight tips for your next trip. Did I miss out on your favourite tip? Let me know via Instagram at @honeycombers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you survive a long-haul flight in economy?
It's all about maximising comfort. So bring things along that will help with your sleep like neck pillows, eye masks, and melatonin. To burn the quiet hours you're awake, bring books, handheld games, or journal.
What should I wear for a long-haul flight?
Loose clothing is your best option. Pick clothes you're comfortable sleeping in and wearing for over 12 hours, and wearing a belt since it might dig into your waist. Pack a change of clothes too in case it gets too cold or if you spill something on yourself.
What are the best travel essentials for flying?
Some non-negotiable items I typically bring include lip balm, a handheld game, earbuds or ear plugs, some skincare, and water.
Other things you can consider packing are a neck pillow, melatonin, and an eyemask to help with sleep.
